Pennie Varvarides finds out how Southsea Library became one of the most energy efficient in the UK. At a time when most libraries in the UK are grappling with budget cuts, Portsmouth’s Southsea Library has moved to a new site – albeit one that was previously a branch of Woolworths, another victim of the recession.

Lighting is a key component and cost in library design. If lighting is poor it becomes difficult for patrons to read, colours appear muddy and running costs climb as more lights are switched on or installed to increase the lighting levels. The age of the patrons is also a factor: as you age, so you need more light to read with ease. Next time you pay a visit to the Central Library, look up at the lights.

Safety of maintenance staff was the driving force behind this LED installation in the City of Westminster. Mark Burgess went up west to pay the scheme a visit. When LEDs are installed, it’s usually because someone wants to save a few bob on their electricity bill. Another, less frequently mentioned, reason is that the solid state light sources will save a few more bob because you won’t have to replace them very often.

The City of Armadale, in partnership with Western Power and Synergy commenced a Sustainable Streetlighting trial back in September 2008 in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The innovative trial, which was rolled out as part of the award winning Switch your thinking! program, was delivered to help Western Power assess the performance of two new sustainable technologies - 42W compact fluorescent light globes (CFLs) and 50W twin-arc high pressure sodium lamps - in WA's unique environmental conditions.

Backgropund
Changi Prison was constructed by the British administration of the Straits Settlements as a civilian prison, in 1936. In 2000, the prison was demolished and the Redevelopment of Changi Prison Complex (CPC) project began.